
Winter officially starts on December 21, at least that’s what Google says. I wouldn’t actually know because for the past 14 years* we have been spending December to April travelling in Southern Mexico. That means that normally, right about now, when you’re unpacking your winter gear and snow suits, I’m packing our flip flops and bathing suits. Except this year.
Due to circumstances out of our control, we will be experiencing all the joys that Canadian winters have to offer. Quite the transition. The Kids are so excited to have the chance to make snow angels, go skating and tobogganing for the first time. As for myself, what I lack in enthusiasm, I make up for in planning and organization.
In turn, I’ve compiled a list of some high level categories and their associated sub-tasks that need to be addressed before the snow comes and decides to stay. Being prepared will ensure that everyone stays safe and warm and that we have the most successful winter possible. As the saying goes, “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!”.
Please, please, please share your tips below on how you prepare for winter so that all of us can have a fun winter (is that an oxymoron?).
Weather Forecast
Before you go and prepare for the Winterapocalypse that may or may not be coming, you should check and see what the weather experts are forecasting this year. Did you know that every year around this time, The Weather Network releases their forecast for what Canada can expect for the new few months!? How fabulous that they’ve taken the guesswork out of winter and provided us with information to ensure that we are prepared for the conditions and able to stay safe during the months that can sometimes be so varying and unpredictable. Like the past two days here in Eastern Ontario!
Turns out that the 2017 Winter Forecast was released on November, 21, 2016 at 9pm! Visit The Weather Network website or download “The Weather Network” app (available for iPhone, Android or Blackberry) for details. What kind of weather have they forecasted for your area?
Inside The House
Be sure to have your furnace, tanks and any other associated equipment inspected by a professional every year. Did you know that in Ontario, it’s the law! Check out Technical Standards and Safety Authority website (Ontario) or your Province regulatory body for details. Install weather stripping and switch out any screened doors/windows for glass. If you were thinking about putting in any extra insulation, now is the time to do it to save some extra money. I’ve put a rubber mat at the front door for people to put their wet boots so that it doesn’t get brought into the house and ruin the floors.
Outside The House
Turn off water access and blow out your outside taps. In our house, the shut of valve is in the basement but there is a portion of piping that goes outside the house and we wouldn’t that to freeze. If you have a wood fireplace, make sure that the chimney has been cleaned and that you have a good supply of firewood that is easily accessible.
Caring for your Machines
If you have a generator or snowblower, now is the time to give it a tune up and make sure you have plenty of fuel. Make sure that you have a good shovel (or two) and plenty of salt. If you won’t be maintaining your property yourself, make sure that you have an arrangement in place so that people come when you need them. Remember to change your windshield washer fluid and oil in your vehicles and make sure that you’ve checked your tire pressure *** and have installed snow tires (it’s the law in Quebec). Note that Ontario car insurance companies have started to give a policy discount if you have snow tires installed.
Enjoying the Outdoors
If you don’t want to hibernate, there are a lot of things to do that don’t necessarily cost a lot of money. Many people flood their own rinks so all you need is to bring your skates and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate. Thrift shops like our local House of Lazarus sell skates for a reasonable price and when you’re done with them, you can donate them back. They also have sleds for tobogganing, snow shoes and cross country equipment. We live on a 13 acres property so there is no shortage of trails or snow to keep us busy. I’ve been reading our local paper and there are lots of events coming like the annual CP Holiday Train that travels from Montreal to Port Moody and places in between. And, winter won’t be complete without an appearance at Winterlude and a beaver tail! P.S. That’s not a real beaver tail.
What We Wear
In order to make sure that you get the most out of the outdoors, you need to have the right clothes. The Weather Network’s app is really helpful in helping me decide how to dress the kids. Each of the kids have two pairs of snow pants, winter boots, a warm coat and extra scarves, hats and mitts. It’s great to have extras for when (not if!) they get wet and if they get misplaced. I’ve put a freestanding coat rack in the bathroom, right beside a vent where everyone will hang their wet clothing so that it will actually dry.
In the case that we get snowed in and/or lose power, I have an electric heater to keep us warm**, lots of food that won’t spoil and doesn’t need to be cooked like baked beans, peanut butter and jam, crackers, canned fruit and we can always put the ice cream outside. Or just eat it for breakfast.
No matter what winter throws at us this year, we’re doing everything in our power to be prepared. What about you?
How Do You Get Prepared for Winter?
Important Tips on How to be Prepared for Winter with help from @weathernetwork @zoojourneys https://t.co/Sdf5VHRJgS
— Journeys of The Zoo (@zoojourneys) November 28, 2016
* We didn’t go in 2004 or 2009, the year The Kids were born
** We will run it off of our gas powered generator
*** Suggested by KD (in the comments)
Disclosure: Journeys of The Zoo received compensation in exchange for sharing this information.
I am definitely not ready for winter yet! I’m really hoping for a mild one here, though the temperatures have been below freezing most of the week. I do love the snow but not if I have to go out in it! I’ll be taking some of your tips to help get us prepared for the upcoming months!
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Dear Christy,
I figure that I’ll be ready for winter right around March 20, 2017… #firstdayofspring
Stay safe and warm.
Besos Sarah.
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Great tips! I didn’t know that it was the law here in QC to have Winter tires but then again, I don’t drive so that answers that question, lol. Makes sense though & should be the law in Canada. It’s not safe (for anyone) without them!
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Dear Jason,
Yes, the law came into effect in December 2014 and is detailed under the “Quebec Highway Safety Code”, section 440.1 -> http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/showdoc/cs/C-24.2
It’s safer to just hibernate inside anyways. That’s what I’ll be doing until the Spring!
Besos Sarah.
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Sarah,
This is my first time parking outside, in 29 years and after only 2 days of snow, I really, really hate it.
I’d like to hibernate like a bear.
Enjoy your winter, Former Neighbour.
Eric
No longer The “SHERIFF” of Outer Heckston.
Dear Eric,
Hibernating for the winter is the latest trend. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
Here’s hoping for a snowless winter.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Come and Discover The Magic of Walt Disney World #Travel #Disney
Don’t hate me but I’m not super sad you’re not going to Mexico. Because now I don’t have to go through withdrawal when you don’t have internet for weeks on end. Selfish I know 😉
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Dear Shayna,
I’m glad to hear that you won’t go through withdrawal. The things I do for friends.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Donate to the @BostonPizzaFdn and Get 5 FREE Kids Meals! #BPKidsCards
Wow – enjoy the adventure! I hear there was a lot of snow this week, so let the ‘fun’ begin!!
Dear Rene,
If this week was any indication of the winter we’re going to have, I’m not going to make it.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Don’t Get Locked Out of Your House in Mexico #Travel
Hibernating sounds like a great idea! It’s actually 5 degrees Celsius here today and the sun is shining and there is no snow on the ground so I can’t complain really…yet! One thing I am happy about though is that you will be here on the blog posting regularly for the winter. Although, I am going to miss your fun stories about Mexico I have a feeling that the ones about your experiences this year with Winter weather will be just as entertaining!
Dear Tara,
There’s a potential blog post in everything. Make that e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. We’ll try not to disappoint.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…WIN $1,000 in Groceries at the #FoodBasics #IWantItAll Event! #contest
Oh yes wintertime is approaching and we are supposed to get a lot of snow this year. Last year there wasn’t much at all. Winter when I was young had way more snow than my children have seen. We had huge snowbanks and us kids lived outside and loved the many activities winter brings. Snow for children is an enormous creative toy!
My advise is emergency kits and extra blankets in vehicles, extra winter clothing from mittens, toques and footwear. Batteries for flashlights and an indoor emergency kit also. P.S.
A really great piece of advice is to remember to unplug your car when using a block heater cord BEFORE driving away.
Another piece of advice is keep that bbq handy outside as on a not too cold winter day there is nothing as delicious as a bbq-ed supper.
Happy Canadian winter to you and your family.
Dear Debbie,
Besides a stiff drink, what would you find in an “indoor emergency kit” (as I don’t have one yet). Love the idea of a BBQd meal!
Thanks for the well wishes. We’ll survive. Hopefully. Maybe. Fingers crossed…
Besos Sarah.
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It’s great to get another post — it’s been a while! I’m sorry you won’t get to visit Mexico, but hope the kids have fun in the cold. Will they be skating on the canal?
You have lots of great tips!
Another thing to remember is to check your tire pressure as the temperatures drop. The colder the temperature, the more air you need in your tires for the same pressure. 🙂
Dear KD,
We’ve been spending my time getting ready to hibernate. Joking. Kind of. Okay, seriously.
Thanks for your support, it means a lot. As for your comment, I’ve added it to the body of the post and given you credit.
Besos, Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Donate to the @BostonPizzaFdn and Get 5 FREE Kids Meals! #BPKidsCards
Funny I should read this now. It’s snowing here!! 😀 I love it. This snow is incredibly wet and incredibly heavy. We’ve been out playing it. Built a snowman but he fell over from the weight! Now we’re back inside drinking hot chocolate and getting ready to Christmas decorate and hopefully make some sugar cookies! Mmmm…. I love Eli’s 6 word stories!
Dear Eric,
We had a huge dump last week and a lot of it is still on the ground.
Are your kids homeschooled or just home from school (like mine were yesterday due to the buses being cancelled)?
Thanks for stopping by. Always excited to meet fellow Canadians especially when the go-between is an American.
Besos Sarah
Sarah recently posted…Come and Discover The Magic of Walt Disney World #Travel #Disney
Ours are hoping the couple inches we got yesterday lasts the next 24 days. My fingers are crossed for them. They’re out playing in it at 7:30 this morning before they go to school. They were home yesterday because it was an inservice day for the teachers. Lucky coincidence.
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I love winter! We’ve been having a lovely winter with blue skies and -11 in the morning and (barely) enough snow to go sledding. So much better than grey mist that hovers around 0.
Keeping an extra bag/box of warm stuff and space blankets in the car is a good idea. If you ever get stuck in the car with no one able to get you, it will come in handy!
Dear Naomi,
Thanks for stopping by our blog and sharing your tips.
We have two wool blankets in the car and a (hand-cranked) flash light but not much else. I’m going to put together an emergency kit just in case.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Come and Discover The Magic of Walt Disney World #Travel #Disney
It’s crazy how much prep work it takes to get ready for winter. But once the temperatures drop, you’ll be glad you did it!
We always make sure the kids are fully outfitted with coats, hats, gloves, etc. Then I make sure we have a good supply of hot chocolate and soup for those cold days ahead. 🙂
Dear Dena,
Great plan! We had soup and hot chocolate today. I hope that you and yours stay warm this winter.
Thanks for stopping by.
Besos Sarah.
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Here in the Carolinas, it’s pretty simple: Just make sure you have bread, milk, and booze. Presumably, French toast is a life saver south of the Mason Dixon in the event of wintry weather. And the booze, well, that’s for the parents.
Dear Eli,
I’m moving to the Carolinas.
Thanks for all your support.
Besos Sarah.
Sarah recently posted…Important Tips on How to be Prepared for Winter
Great tips!!! I feel like I always forget each year until the first snowfall has come before I jump on board. I definitely need to be more proactive next winter 🙂 Thanks for the reminder!!!
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